Reels have quickly become one of the hottest growth hacks on the platform – so here’s how to hack the algorithm.
The short-form Instagram video feature is helping more brands gain better audience engagement, greater brand awareness and increasing their chances of going viral on the app.
Gen Z love to interact with brands who truly care about their connection with consumers. They also love to engage with brands who are honest, funny, and relatable.
So – this is where you need to take advantage.
We’re not going to lie; the Instagram Reels algorithm is a bit of a tricky one. As the app *seemingly* transforms in a video-focused platform, the content you post on Reels must now stand out from the crowd.
Every brands aim should be to gain prime position on their consumers timeline shown as a “suggested post”, or equally as important, in the Reels Explore tab.
It is indicated that the Instagram Reel algorithm will deprioritise content that is visibly recycled from other apps (for example, if you’ve downloaded a video from TikTok with the watermark still displayed), as well as low-quality, blurry content.
Essentially – you want to be creating unique, relatable content specific for IG.
As Instagram and TikTok continue to fight for the same audience, this move in ‘shadow banning’ low quality, generic material, is no big surprise.
Some basic points you need to be ticking when creating content for Reels are:
- Be experimental – memorable content will always win
- Utilise all of Instagram’s editing features – play around with text, captions, filters or camera effects
- Think about the audio – time your video to the beat of the sound
- Ensure the video is mobile optimised and vertical – it’ll be skipped by if not
- Finally, be inspiring – start a trend that is likely to catch on – yeah, it might be easier said than done, but this is what will make you stand out!
Above all, the key to creating good content on Reels comes when you find your niche and post consistently.
Remember to include 3-5 relevant hashtags as this will act as an indication so that Instagram can serve your content to the right audience.
Regardless of what your brand sells, there is a creative opportunity waiting for you.
Featured image screenshots via @marta__sierra, @noorieana and @vivacious.honey.
Fleur The Agency 